Opioid epidemic declared a public health emergency

HEALTH
– Yesterday the administration declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency and outlined its plan to reduce the numbed of deaths related to the drug. The plan includes the expansion of telemedicine services, the acceleration of the hiring process for medical professionals working on opioids, and other efforts. (NPR, 10/26)

After taking office, Trump created a commission to study the opioid crisis, headed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. In an interim report, the commission called on the president to declare a national emergency under either the Public Health Service Act or the Stafford Act. Doing so, the commission said, could free up funds for treatment, ensure wider access to the anti-overdose drug naloxone and improve monitoring of opioid prescriptions to prevent abuse.

Public health emergencies expire after 90 days, although the administration says they can easily be renewed. The designation gives the administration access to the Public Health Emergency Fund, but that fund is nearly empty.

– Montgomery County council members are considering a soda tax to fund early-childhood education programs. (Bethesda Beat, 10/26)

ECONOMY | A new study has found a link between economic segregation and the clustering of knowledge-based high-tech industries. (Citylab, 10/24)

PHILANTHROPY | Aaron Dorfman, president and CEO of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, discussed the impact a repeal of the estate tax would have on philanthropy. (NCRP, 10/24)